Any thoughts or recommendations with regard to satellite service from Dish; from Direct TV? I have a satellite dome that was formerly talking to the Direct TV satellites a few years ago and would look forward to any comments on their current offerings/customer service/reception.
Check the archives, Fiddler. There are lots of votes both ways. I've run DirecTV with a Winegard HD dish since they were introduced.
Fiddler, search the archives - lots of comments on types of satellite dishes and dish vs direct
For my money, Wineguard traveler and Dish is the way to go - different strokes for different folks
It seems like Dish RV service gets good reviews from alot of folks here (including me) but it seems like those who have Dish home service are not quite as happy. According to this article Dish is one of the 10 most hated companies...
Read on if you choose: The 10 Most Hated Companies in America - Yahoo! Finance (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-10-most-hated-companies-in-america-162927740.html)
Mark,
Dish works well at home but they do have some clever business practices. They offer you a half price package that you can renew in 6 months but if you don't remember to call before the end of 6 months, they bill you the full price for that month. And you you don't review your CC statement, you could pay forever at the higher rate. Just a way of them knowing most folks are too busy putting food on the table and not that well organized. Guess thats what Google calendar is for.
Pierce
I have used Direct TV since I started in the Motorhome over 10 years ago. NO issues and they just count it as an extra box like my house so it is 5 bucks a month times two for the two boxes. I think Direct TV uses a higher orbiting Sat so it is easier to shoot over the trees too.
Open satellite antenna receive a stronger signal than domed. We watched HD DirecTV programs 500 miles north of the Canadian border in Ft McMurray Alberta.
We think Wineguard Trav'ler open HD satellite antenna is better than Motosat, the only other HD Directv RV antenna.
Satellite RV - Winegard TRAV'LER Automatic Multi-Satellite HDTV Antennas (http://www.winegard.com/travler/?gclid=CMTx8ofX4LQCFQuCQgodg30A8w)
DirecTV does not offer programs in HD with a domed satellite antenna.
Our Wineguard SK-3005 is fast & trouble free and always finds the multiple-satellite target from where ever we are parked.
I think that DirecTV has more HD programming and we can receive distant-local network stations all across the country.
We also think that a DVR is a life changer for anyone who watches TV.
Totally agree, John. We've been with them 8 years and NO issues. Customer service for RV owners has improved dramatically, though there is still room for improvement - especially for those of us who are "extended timers." We have heard that DISH is probably more customer-friendly for the part-timer user, but there too many other issues for us to consider a change.
We USED to have the coach receiver as an extra box to the house account with DirecTV; but we sold the house and went full-time for 11 months while we built a winter home (now we're "half-timers"). While full-time, we wanted networks wherever we were (but through the DVR so we could record programs). Thus, we needed a regular account for the coach with DNS for network feeds. When we moved into the winter home, we started an account at the house, and probably could have used the coach again as an extra box. HOWEVER, as an extra box to the house, we would not be able to get the DNS service travelling in the coach 5+ months of the year. Because we have the same RV account from January 2011, we are able to get BOTH the east and west coast feeds (grandfathered). New DNS customers only get one coast, depending on their billing address.
Again, totally agree. We installed the SK-3005 in April 2011 and have no problems - push the button once after we're plugged in... and we're good to go. We also enjoy DTV's extensive HD programming, and think the DVR is a "sanity saver" (it's painful to watch live TV... and wait through lengthy, but muted, advertising!). :))
I think they both use deceptive marketing practices. But Dish service is my choice.
When I purchased my coach it was set up for Dish so I dropped my DirecTV to try Dish. After 13 years with DirecTV and having been out of contract for more than 3 years they tried to make me pay a $468 cancellation fee. I had purchased my DirecTV equipment from eBay so no entanglement there. They even threatened turning my account over to collection after acknowledging several times on the phone that I was not under contract. It took many phone calls and finally a letter to the CEO in California to get them to pay attention and cancel my billing. In fact they owed me $14.80.
It was difficult to get the RV account set up but once in place it has worked flawlessly. When we arrive in a new area a 5 minute phone call gets local channels and its less expensive than DirecTV.
Rant ended. I vote for Dish.
I've had both DirecTV and Dish. IMHO Dish is a much better system and customer service. When we arrive in a new area I contact Dish via: DISH Customer Care & Service | DISH Support Live Chat (http://www.dish.com/chat/) to change our service address and receive local channels...Very easy and user friendly..
Good Luck, Dave A